Commissioner Katie Million

KATIE MILLION - WCHA VICE PRESIDENT AND WOMEN'S LEAGUE COMMISSIONER

Katie Million, who was named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Vice President and Women’s League Commissioner on July 21, 2016, enters her third season at the helm of college hockey’s premier conference.

An experienced and visionary leader with a proven track record of accelerating exposure, partnerships and revenue, Million has launched the WCHA on an exciting and progressive trajectory. Her first two seasons have seen a renewed emphasis on the student-athlete experience, alumni outreach, new platforms for exposure and outside-the-box fundraising efforts on behalf of the League and its institutions.

With Million’s guidance, the WCHA has delivered its first-ever extended women’s hockey television package (via a partnership with FOX Sports North and FOX Sports Wisconsin), partnered with the Beaver Radio Network for the “This Week in the Women’s WCHA” radio show and St. Cloud State’s Husky Productions team for the “WCHA Highlight Reel,” increased digital impressions by more than 160 percent, secured several new league sponsors and become the first NCAA Division I conference to engage in a crowdfunding initiative – all while maintaining an envied level of on-ice competitive success.

Million joined the WCHA after a highly-successful 17-year stint with the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) in Lake Placid, including the last three years as the organization’s director of events. Under her leadership, ORDA further established itself as the region’s foremost hub for major national and international competitions in the 21st century, hosting multiple world cups, world championships and made-for-television events in a variety of sports. Million oversaw multiple collegiate hockey games and tournaments, including six ECAC Men’s Hockey Championships, five NCAA Division III Men’s Championships and the 2007 NCAA Division I Women’s Frozen Four. Lake Placid also served as a consistent home for USA Hockey, with Million guiding efforts around numerous Men’s and Women’s National Festivals and Camps, along with the 2004, 2008 and 2013 Four Nations Cup tournaments.

Among her executive duties with ORDA, Million led, organized and directed logistical, operational and administrative assets surrounding all events, while also coordinating and leading marketing, promotion and sponsorship efforts. During her tenure, she developed relationships with such corporate partners as Disney (and ESPN), Turner Sports and Red Bull, along with a multitude of national and international governing bodies.

Most recently, Million undertook a contract role as general manager of the 1980 Miracle Hockey Team, assuming responsibility for managing the professional reputation and branding of the sport’s most iconic and cherished team. She rose to that level after coordinating all aspects of the last two “Miracle on Ice Fantasy Camps” and the widely-lauded “Miracle on Ice 35th Anniversary Celebration” events in 2015.

Million has also served as an adjunct lecturer at Paul Smith’s College in Paul Smiths, N.Y., while she managed the Venue Communication Center at the Whistler (B.C.) Sliding Centre during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. Since 2005, she has managed the Songs at Mirror Lake Music Series – a Lake Placid-based nonprofit, volunteer-based community group she helped create. Million earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from State University of New York at Oswego.

Million and her husband, John, reside in Minneapolis.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT KATIE MILLION

“The WCHA has made a tremendous selection in hiring Katie Million to serve as commissioner of its Women’s League. She is a consummate professional who brings great enthusiasm and a tremendous work ethic to her new role. Quite simply, Katie gets things done. More importantly, she is a first-class individual with strong character and integrity. Katie will be a great representative of the WCHA.” – Steve Hagwell, Commissioner, ECAC Hockey

“Katie has done an excellent job developing and managing the professional reputation of the 1980 Miracle Hockey Team, and creating a memorable experience for everyone involved at our annual ‘Fantasy Camp.’ The 1980 Miracle Hockey Team congratulates Katie on this incredible opportunity to lead the development and advancement of women’s college hockey as the new WCHA Women’s League commissioner.” – Steve Janaszak, 1980 U.S. Olympian

“I am thrilled to have Katie on board at the WCHA. She has wonderful and infectious enthusiasm for providing the very best experience for the student-athletes, while her successes in enhancing brands, managing large-scale events and developing partnerships speak for themselves. I look forward to collaborating with Katie in the continued growth and excellence of the WCHA.” – Bill Robertson, President and Men’s League Commissioner, WCHA